SYDNEY. 6 December 2009 — Almost three quarters of Australians have looked up health information online, with one in two using the information to self-diagnose, according to a recent study conducted by market information and insight group TNS.
Having become a widely and regularly used source of health advice – 57% have accessed health information online in the past month – experts have warned that the misuse of health and medical information could become a danger.
Director of social research with TNS, Cheryl Reed, said that for many, online information was replacing trips to the doctor with one in two self diagnosing and some even prescribing their own treatments.
“Our research found that 27% of those searching for health information online felt they were able to diagnose and treat an ailment without the need of a health professional,” said Reed.
“It is concerning to think that people are adopting treatments for self diagnosed conditions that might not be appropriate or even safe, while others still may be diagnosing symptoms that do not really exist.
“With the ability to do this at our fingertips, and its use becoming so widespread, we run the risk of becoming a nation of cyberchondriacs.”
The research revealed that not all online searches result in a self diagnosis – 62% of those who refer to online sources raise the information they found with their health professional and 56% used the information to decide whether it was appropriate to make the trip to the doctor or not.
Q: In which of the following ways, if any, has the information you found online affected your own health care routine or the health care routine of your family?
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Led you to ask your health provider new or more informed questions
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62%
|
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Informed the decision about whether you or your family member should consult a health provider
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56%
|
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Allowed you to diagnose and treat a condition yourself without having to see a health provider
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27%
|
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Led to you seeking advice or a second opinion from an alternative health provider
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23%
|
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Resulted in a change of treatment for a medical condition
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16%
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“On the other side of the coin, it is a positive that information is readily accessible to inform people with health concerns, but the ability of the public to distinguish credible advice and sources of information is the real question,” said Reed.
For information on health conditions and treatment options people are most commonly referring to government sites, while for information on specific medications people are looking to pharmaceutical company sources.
“There is a big difference between using the internet for information gathering and diagnosis. “If information from a credible source is used responsibly and in conjunction with advice from a qualified practitioner the result will be a more informed patient.”
Q: Which types of health or medical information were you looking for on the Internet?
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General information about an ailment I/ family member had been diagnosed with by a health provider
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60%
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Information to self diagnose an ailment I/ family member possibly had
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49%
|
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Specific information about treatment for an ailment that I/ family member/ friend had been diagnosed with by a health provider
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44%
|
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Information about a health condition that had been discussed in the media
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28%
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-ends-
About the study
TNS’ Tech Snapshot study was a comprehensive study of the technology market in Australia covering trends and usage and attitudes towards consumer electronics, telecommunications, internet and digital, mobile and mobile advertising, and gaming. The study was conducted in September with 1,040 Australians.
About TNS
TNS, who recently merged with Research International, is the world’s largest custom research agency. In Australia, we have been the leaders in custom research and analysis for over 40 years, combining our global resources with local understanding of consumer, finance and business, social and government, technology, healthcare, and travel and leisure sectors. Our product offering stretches across the entire range of marketing and business issues, specialising in product development and innovation, brand and communication, stakeholder management, retail and shopper, and qualitative research. Delivering best-in-class service across more than 75 countries, TNS is part of Kantar, the world’s largest research, insight and consultancy network. Please visit www.tnsglobal.com/australia for more information.
